Three New Members Join NIST Advisory Group

Patrick Gallagher, director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has named three distinguished experts from industry and academia to serve on the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT), the agency’s primary private-sector policy advisory group. The new VCAT members—who will serve three-year terms starting on April 1—bring the body’s number to 13.

The new committee members include:

Michael McRobbie, president of Indiana University. IU’s eight-campus system has a total budget of around $2.9 billion, and more than 5,000 faculty, 11,000 staff and 100,000 students. With broad experience in fostering research partnerships, McRobbie has particular expertise in information technology, as an active researcher in computer science and logic, a co-creator of the IU School of Informatics, and the initiator of IU’s Information Technology Strategic Plan, which is considered a model for institutions across the nation.

Shaygan Kheradpir, executive vice president and chief information officer for Verizon Communications. Kheradpir is responsible for the information technology initiatives of all business units at Verizon Communications, a global company with annual revenues of more than $107 billion. An electrical engineer holding several U.S. patents, Kheradpir leads technology development and innovation for key Verizon initiatives, including having developed and implemented the systems and products for Verizon’s all-fiber network, known as FiOS.

Sujeet Chand, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Rockwell Automation. Chand is responsible for the development of technology strategy and the evolution of next-generation architecture and platforms for the company while leading R&D, standards and trade activities with a globally distributed team. Named Rockwell Engineer of the Year in 1993, Chand has led numerous innovations in industrial automation technology and applications, and holds nine patents.

The VCAT was established by Congress in 1988 to review and make recommendations on NIST’s policies, organization, budget and programs. The VCAT chair is Vinton Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist for Google. VCAT’s vice chair is Alan Taub, vice president for global research and development at General Motors.